Rem. 7400 22" or 181/2"

[TPAW]

I have become interested in the Remington 7400 in 30.06. My local gun shop has the auto loader in 22" and the carbine version in 18 1/2 ". Does anyone have any experience with either, and can you comment on the difference in accuracy between the two. Does 3 1/2 inches in barrel length make much difference in accuracy. Can the 18 1/2" shoot the 150 to 220 grain bullets accurately?
Thanks for your input.

[BusGunner007]

Is there such a thing as a 'long story, short'? ;)

The 7400 is a GOOD RIFLE/CARBINE because the problems with the bolt beating the crap out of the gun with the 740/742 models are fixed.

I have the Carbine/.30-06 and it was as accurate with both the Remington 180's & 220's , except the 220's shot 'higher' at 100-yds. --- go figure.
I'm talkin' 1.5" - 2" groups of three shots!
ACCURATE enough to make the RangeMaster quit talkin' smack about these kinds of rifles.

Functioning has been FLAWLESS, period.
As long as I used the factory magazines.
Any other magazine didn't work worth a [color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color] and makes a better target than a magazine...:D

Thinking of what you're asking about, I'd choose the 22" bbl. RIFLE.
Add a 6x scope in your choice of base/rings and call it good!
No messing around with jacking a bolt/lever or changing power on the scope.
It'll be all set once you rack the bolt back and put the safety on --- something to consider doing BEFORE you leave camp.

Good Luck! Nice choice in a rifle & cartridge, too!

[TPAW]

BusGunner007

Thinking of what you're asking about, I'd choose the 22" bbl.

Why? I heard that the 18 1/2 carbine is more accurate due to less harmonics? Is that true?

[BusGunner007]

I don't know about that...but, my Carbine is plenty accurate --- at 100-yds.
If I were to 'augment' my collection, I'd choose the 7400 RIFLE to get the extra bbl. length, with shots past 100-yds. in mind.

It has a bit more of a sleek look, too. That may not be important, but if I were to do it again, I think I'd choose the RIFLE.

The thing with the shorter bbl. being more accurate and exhibiting less vibration may be true, but I think it may be more true with thicker bbls.

If I were to choose between the two, I'd like the extra few inches of the RIFLE for overall performance and potential accuracy with the variety of .30-06 ammunition available.

Since I have the Carbine autoloader, and a Browning BAR MkII Safari in 7mm Rem.Mag. w/BOSS ( 22" 'effective' bbl. length; 24" overall w/BOSS ), I've covered my autoloading hunting rifle needs pretty well.
If I didn't have the BAR, I'd choose the 7400 RIFLE.
I hope that clears up my logic.
:D

[Art Eatman]

The .30-'06 is a bit overbore, and gets maximum velocity from 26" barrels (roughly). You lose about 75 ft/sec/inch for barrels of lesser length (approximately).

I have an old 742K carbine in .30-'06, which is adequately accurate (1.5 MOA for three shots) for deer hunting. I sorta reserve it for closer-range shooting. Open country, I stay with my 26" smokepole. :)

Art

[HighPrimer]

How about real data instead of wild guesses? ;) Here is velocity data for a .30-06 fired in the same barrel, just cut off between each test:

G&A 11/81: 165-grain with W760
26" = 2896 fps
24" = 2850
22" = 2820
20" = 2772

The difference between a 20" and 22" barrel is just 48 fps, and the velocity at 18.5" should be about 2725 fps, the equivalent of a full-power .308WCF. This velocity loss is nothing, not even noticeable in the field at 400 yards. Choose the barrel length you like, any differences in velocity and accuracy will be nothing to worry about.

[mikejonestkd]

The only concern you may have is the significant difference in muzzle blast and sound. The 18 1/2" barrel will really bark!!!

All in all it is a great autoloader in a great caliber. I would opt for the longer barrel if I had to make the choice - unless you spend 90% of your time in heavy brush. Then go with the carbine barrel.

[beagle]

The 7400 is an excellent rifle. It's what I've used for the past several years.

Mine is sighted in at 200yds and easily shoots 1.5" - 2" groups.

I've also had problems with the non-factory magazines.

Its a fantastic rifle, if you take care of it.

[TPAW]

Beagle

What barrell length do you have?